Methods and systems to indicate the status of door operations

ABSTRACT

Example methods and systems to indicate the status of door operations are disclosed. An example door system includes a door panel having a leading edge to be moved in a travel direction between an open position and a closed position relative to the doorframe. The door panel to block the passageway when the leading edge is at the closed position. The door panel to unblock the passageway when the leading edge is at the open position. The example door system also includes a series of lights distributed along the travel direction proximate the doorframe. The example door system further includes a controller to switch the lights between a first state and a second state to provide a visual effect of movement corresponding to the operating status of the door system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/187,503, which was filed on Jun. 20, 2016, and claims priority toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/453,237, which was filed on Aug. 6,2014. U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 15/187,503 and 14/453,237 areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to doors and more specificallyto methods and systems to indicate the status of door operations.

BACKGROUND

A variety of power-operated doors have movable door panels forselectively blocking and unblocking a passageway through a doorway. Doorpanels come in various designs and operate in different ways. Examplesof some door panels include a rollup panel (e.g., pliable or flexiblesheet), a rigid panel, a flexible panel, a pliable panel, a verticallytranslating panel, a horizontally translating panel, a panel thattranslates and tilts, a swinging panel, a segmented articulated panel, apanel with multiple folding segments, a multilayer thermally insulatedpanel, and various combinations thereof.

Some power-operated doors have audio or visual signaling systems thatindicate various conditions pertaining to the door or nearby area.Examples of such systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,024; U.S.published patent application 2013/009785 A1; and US published patentapplication 2008/0022596 A1; all of which are specifically incorporatedby reference herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example door system constructed inaccordance with the teachings disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a front view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the example doorabout one-third open.

FIG. 3 is a front view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the example doorabout two-thirds open.

FIG. 4 is a front view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the example doorfully open.

FIG. 5 is a front view of another example door system constructed inaccordance with the teachings disclosed herein.

FIG. 6 is a front view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the example doorabout one-third open.

FIG. 7 is a front view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the example doorabout two-thirds open.

FIG. 8 is a front view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the example doorfully open.

FIG. 9 is a front of another example door system constructed inaccordance with the teachings disclosed herein. Some electronic portionsare shown schematically.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial front view of the example door system ofFIG. 9 but with the example door fully closed.

FIG. 11 is a side view of another example door system constructed inaccordance with the teachings disclosed herein.

FIG. 12 is a side view similar to FIG. 11 but showing an examplework-in-process near its start time.

FIG. 13 is a side view similar to FIG. 12 but showing the examplework-in-process further along.

FIG. 14 is a side view similar to FIG. 13 but showing the examplework-in-process nearly complete.

FIG. 15 is a side view similar to FIG. 14 but showing the examplework-in-process at completion.

FIG. 16 is a side view similar to FIG. 11 but showing the examplework-in-process complete and the example door opening.

FIG. 17 is a front view of another example door system constructed inaccordance with the teachings disclosed herein.

FIG. 18 is a front view similar to FIG. 17 but showing portions of theexample door system having changed colors (e.g., from blue in FIG. 17 tored in FIG. 18).

FIG. 19 is a side view of another example door system constructed inaccordance with the teachings disclosed herein.

FIG. 20 is a front view of another example door system constructed inaccordance with the teachings disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example methods and apparatus disclosed herein provide visual signalson, alongside, or otherwise proximate to a movable door panel. Some suchexample methods and apparatus include lights that provide a visualeffect of movement (e.g., via animation techniques) coinciding with atravel direction of a door panel's leading edge. In some examples,lights are placed on a door's control box. In some examples, a batteryor super-capacitor is disposed on a door panel to provide portableelectrical power to a series of lights installed along the door panel'smovable leading edge. In some examples, the lights provide varioussignals indicating a door is about to open due to impending completionof a work-in-process behind the door. In some examples, a portion of thedoor is made of a thermochromic material and/or changes color inresponse to the temperature of the door.

FIGS. 1-20 show various example door systems which provide visualsignals indicating the operating status of the door and/or conditions onthe other side of the door. Example visual signals include (1)sequentially activated variable state lights to generate a visual effectof movement along a doorframe and/or on a control box, (2) lightsdisposed on and moving with the leading edge of a door panel, (3) alight projected on a door panel, and/or (4) a thermochromic area on adoorframe or on a moving door panel. Example operating statuses of thedoor include the door opening, the door closing, the door being about toopen, and/or the door being about to close. Example conditions on theother side of the door include temperature, humidity, the presence of aperson or object, and impending completion of a manufacturing process onthe other side of the door.

FIGS. 1-4 show an example door system 10 having a series of lights 12(plurality of lights) that are controlled to provide a visual effect ofmovement that indicates movement of a door panel 14 and/or indicatesimpending movement of the door panel 14. That is, while individuallights in the series of lights 12 in the illustrated example are atfixed locations, the controlled activation/deactivation of individual(e.g., successive) ones of the series of lights 12 gives the appearanceof a light signal moving along the series of lights 12. The term, “doorpanel” represents any structure that is moveable to selectively blockand unblock a passageway (e.g., a doorway or other access opening).Example door panels include a rollup panel (e.g., pliable or flexiblesheet), a rigid panel, a flexible panel, a pliable panel, a verticallytranslating panel, a horizontally translating panel, a panel thattranslates and tilts, a swinging panel, a segmented articulated panel, apanel with multiple folding segments, a multilayer thermally insulatedpanel, and various combinations thereof.

The term, “light” refers to any one or more elements providingillumination or one or more surfaces. Examples of a light include asingle illuminating element (e.g., an LED, light bulb, etc.), a singleilluminating element of a single color, a single illuminating elementfunctional to provide selectively different colors, multiple discreteilluminating elements, multiple illuminating elements of a single color,multiple illuminating elements of different colors, one or more lightemitting diodes (LEDs), a rope light comprising a series of LEDs, one ormore incandescent bulbs, and a target surface illuminated by a projector(or other light source) through air or through light-passing material(e.g., fiber optics).

In the particular example shown in FIGS. 1-4, the door system 10comprises a doorframe 16 proximate a passageway 18, the door panel 14(rollup style in the illustrated example), and the series of lights 12distributed along the doorframe 16. To open and close the door system10, a drive unit 20 rotates a take-up drum 22 that draws the door panel14 up or pays it out to selectively move a leading edge 24 of the panel14 in a travel direction 26 between an open position (FIG. 4) and aclosed position (FIG. 1). The doorframe 16 helps guide the lateral edgesof the panel 14 as the door system 10 opens and closes. Some examples ofthe door panel 14 include a seal along its leading edge 24.

In some examples, a controller 28 and/or a sensor 30 controls theoperation of the door system 10. For instance, in some examples, thecontroller 28 includes a manually operated open button 32 and a closebutton 34 that initiate the conveyance of an output signal 36 to driveunit 20 for opening and closing the door system 10. The term,“controller” refers to any device for directing, determining,commanding, regulating or otherwise controlling the door's operation.

In addition or alternatively, in some examples, the sensor 30 triggersthe opening or closing of the door system 10 depending on whether thesensor 30 detects the presence or movement of a body near the doorsystem 10. In some examples, the sensor 30 is part of the controller 28.The term, “sensor” refers to any device for providing a trigger orfeedback signal in response to detecting the presence or movement of abody (e.g., a person, vehicle, obstacle, etc.). Sensors detectingpresence or movement operate under various known principles, examples ofwhich include active infrared, passive infrared, ultrasonic, radar,microwave, laser, electromagnetic induction, pressure pad, ultra-IR LED,time-of-flight pulse ranging technology, photoelectric eye, thermal,video camera, video analytics, and various combinations thereof.

In some examples, the controller 28 also controls the lights 12 in sucha way as to provide a visual indication of the door's operation. Thevisual indication can warn those in the vicinity of the door system 10that the door panel 14 is opening, about to open, closing or about toclose. In some examples, each discrete light of the series of lights 12is individually switchable selectively to a first state and a secondstate. Examples of first and second states of any given light 12 includeon and off, energized and de-energized, red and green, color-1 andcolor-2, bright and dim, steady and flashing, etc.

The lights 12, in some examples, are switched in a certain pattern suchthat lights 12 provide a visual effect of movement in the traveldirection 26 of the leading edge 24 of the door panel 14. For instance,in some examples, individual ones of the lights 12 change between theirfirst and second states in substantial synchrony with the travelingmovement of the leading edge 24 of the door panel 14. With such asynchronous control scheme, a light signal generated by the lights 12appears to travel at substantially the same velocity (e.g., within 10%of the actual velocity) as the leading edge 24 of the door panel 14and/or appears to travel at substantially the same elevation (e.g.,within one foot of the actual elevation) of the leading edge 24.

More specifically, in the illustrated example, when the door panel 14 ismoving or is about to move, the lights 12 above the leading edge 24 areenergized and the lights 12 below the leading edge 24 are de-energized.In other words, a given light 12′ adjacent to the leading edge 24changes state as the leading edge 24 passes the position of the light12′. Consequently, all the lights 12 are turned on when the door system10 is fully closed, as shown in the illustrated example of FIG. 1. Whenthe door system 10 is about one-third open, as shown in the illustratedexample of FIG. 2, the upper two-thirds of the lights 12 are energized,and the lower third are de-energized. When the door system 10 is abouttwo-thirds open, as shown in the illustrated example of FIG. 3, theupper third of the lights 12 are energized while the lower two-thirdsare de-energized. When the door system 10 is fully open, as shown in theillustrated example of FIG. 4, all or nearly all of the lights 12 arede-energized. In other examples, all or nearly all of the lights 12 areenergized when the door system 10 is fully open while the lights 12 arede-energized when the door system 10 is fully closed.

Some examples of door system 10 include additional or alternativecontrol schemes. In some examples, the lights 12 are controlled toprovide a visual effect of movement having a greater or slower speed asthat of the leading edge 24 but with the same travel direction (e.g., upand down, left and right, or some other two directions of movement).This provides the benefit of not having to coordinate the travel speedindicated by the visual effect of movement generated by the lights 12with the actual movement of the door panel 14. In some examples, thevisual effect of movement has a speed that varies to represent differentconditions (e.g., actual door movement vs. impending door movement). Insome examples, when the door panel 14 is moving or is about to move, thelights 12 above the leading edge 24 are one color and the lights 12below the leading edge 24 are a different color. This creates a visualeffect of movement while maintaining the full length of the series oflights 12 lit to help illuminate the passageway 18.

In some examples, the lights 12 provide selectively a first signal and asecond signal that are distinguishable from each other by virtue of somecharacteristic such as different colors, flashing vs. continuous,different flashing frequencies, different flashing patterns, anddifferent brightness. The distinguishable characteristic can be used forindicating different operating conditions, such as actual door movementand impending door movement.

Referring to FIGS. 5-8, as an addition or alternative to the lights 12distributed along the doorframe 16, a door system 38 has a plurality oflights 40 borne by an enclosure 42 of a controller 44. Similar to thelights 12 of FIGS. 1-4, the lights 40 are individually switchablebetween first and second states in a pattern that provides a visualeffect of movement related to the operation of the door system 38. Whenthe lights 40 are distributed in a circular layout, as shown in theillustrated example of FIGS. 5-8, the visual effect of movement isrotational. In examples where the lights 40 are distributed in a linearlayout on the enclosure 42, the visual effect of movement is linear.Similar to the lights 12 of FIGS. 1-4, the lights 40 can be controlledin various ways, examples of which include visually representingclockwise rotational movement, visually representing counterclockwiserotational movement, visually representing horizontal movement, visuallyrepresenting vertical movement, varying an apparent speed of thevisually represented movement, selectively flashing a some or all of thelights simultaneously, individual discrete lights selectively energizedand de-energized, individual discrete lights selectively switchedbetween different colors, different signals indicating door movement orimpending door movement, and various combinations thereof.

In some examples, an appreciable length of the doorframe 16 is made of alight transmitting material (e.g., a clear material, a translucentmaterial, and combinations thereof). In such examples, one or morelights 15 project one or more light beams through the doorframe 16itself. In some examples, a single light 15 at an upper or lowered endof the doorframe 16 projects a light beam vertically through thedoorframe 16 to illuminate all or at least much of the doorframe'slength.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show an example door system 45 that includes at least onelight 46 installed along the leading edge 24 of the door panel 14. Inthe illustrated example, the light(s) 46 not only highlights the panel'simpact-vulnerable leading edge 24 but, in some examples, also providesvarious visual signals that indicate the operating status of the doorsystem 45. To avoid the difficulty and expense of having to runelectrical power from an external stationary power source to thelight(s) 46 on the moving panel 14, in some examples, the door system 45includes a power storage unit 48 (e.g., battery, capacitor,super-capacitor, etc.) mounted to the panel 14 so that both the powerstorage unit 48 and the light(s) 46 generally travel together.

To prolong the power storage life of the power storage unit 48, the doorsystem 45 includes means for minimizing power consumption. In someexamples, the means for reducing power consumption involves the doorpanel 14 carrying a door movement sensor 50 and a light activationcircuit 52. Upon sensing door panel movement, the sensor 50 sends atrigger signal 54 to the light activation circuit 52. In response to thetrigger signal 54, the light activation circuit 52 switches from areduced-power sleep mode to an active mode. In the active mode, thecircuit 52 activates the light(s) 46 to illuminate the leading edge 24of the door panel 14. So, in some examples, the light(s) 46 are normallyoff but turn on when the panel 14 is moving to open or close the doorsystem 45.

In some examples, the door movement sensor 50 is an extremely low powercomponent and, in some examples, it is the only fully active electricalcomponent on the panel 14 when the door system 45 is not in use (e.g.,not being opened or closed). Although the light activation circuit 52 inthe active mode consumes more power than the sensor 50, the lightactivation circuit 52 is only in its active mode when needed to activatethe light(s) 46. Examples of electrical circuits switchable betweenactive modes and low power sleep modes are well known to those ofordinary skill in the art. Examples of the door movement sensor 50include an accelerometer and a micro-electromechanical machine pressuretransducer (MEMS).

Examples of the light(s) 46 include a single illuminating element (e.g.,an LED, light bulb, etc.), a single illuminating element of a singlecolor, a single illuminating element functional to provide selectivelydifferent colors, multiple discrete illuminating elements, multipleilluminating elements of a single color, multiple illuminating elementsof different colors, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), a ropelight comprising a series of LEDs, one or more incandescent bulbs, andone or more devices employing principles of fiber optics.

To avoid problems caused by intermittent or false trigger signals 54from the sensor 50, some examples of the door system 45 further includea door operation sensor 56, which is schematically illustrated torepresent any device that can confirm the movement or position of thedoor panel 14. To conserve power, some examples of the door operationsensor 56 are inactive until the light activation circuit 52 or the doormovement sensor 50 triggers it to operate. When operating and confirmingthat the door panel 14 is either actually moving or is neither fullyopen nor fully closed, the door operation sensor 56 commands the lightactivation circuit 52 to keep the light(s) 46 energized regardless ofany trigger signal 54 or lack of signal 54 from the door movement sensor50. In some examples, the door operation sensor 56 is a motion sensor(e.g., passive infrared, laser, optical, ultrasonic, etc.) that detectsrelative motion between the sensor 56 and a floor 58, or detectsrelative motion between the sensor 56 and some other convenient targetsurface (e.g., ceiling, the doorframe 16, an overhead surface 60 of thedoor system 45, etc.).

In some examples, the door operation sensor 56 is directed laterally todetect one or more reflectors 62 attached to the doorframe 16. Upondetecting one of the reflectors 62, the sensor 56 can determine that thepanel 14 is either fully open or closed. That information in combinationwith a lack of the trigger signal 54 would strongly indicate that doorpanel 14 is not moving, and thus, the light(s) 46 can be turned off. Ifthe reflectors 62 are not in view of the sensor 56 in the illustratedexample, that would indicate the door panel 14 is moving or has pausedbetween the door panel's fully open and fully closed positions, andthus, the light(s) 46 should be energized.

In addition or alternatively, to confirm actual door panel movement,some examples of the door system 45 include a wireless transmitter 64associated with the controller 28 or the drive unit 20. A wirelesscommunication link 66 connects the transmitter 64 in wirelesscommunication with a wireless receiver 68 associated with the lightactivation circuit 52. The communication link 66 conveys informationfrom the drive unit 20 and/or from the controller 28, wherein theinformation indicates whether the door panel 14 is moving, fully closed,fully open or at some partially open position. To conserve energy, thelight activation circuit 52 and the wireless receiver 68 remaingenerally inactive until the trigger signal 54 from the door movementsensor 50 switches the light activation circuit 52 from its sleep modeto its active mode. That is, in some examples, the light activationcircuit 52 and the wireless receiver 68 disregard wireless signalstransmitted via the communication link 66 when the light activationcircuit 52 is in the sleep mode. In some examples, once the lightactivation circuit 52 is switched to the active mode (based on thetrigger signal 54), the wireless signal from the transmitter 64maintains the light activation circuit 52 in the active mode (e.g.,until the trigger signal 54 and the wireless signal indicate the doorpanel is no longer moving).

In some examples, a charging system 70 periodically (or aperiodically)recharges the power storage unit 48 automatically when the door panel 14is fully closed, fully open or at some other charging position. When theleading edge 24 of the door panel 14 is at the charging position, asshown in the illustrated example of FIG. 10, the charging system 70conveys a charging power 72 from an external power source 74 to rechargethe power storage unit 48. When the leading edge 24 of the door panel 14is not at the charging position, the leading edge 24 may be within arange of self-powered positions 76, as shown in the illustrated exampleof FIG. 9. When the leading edge 24 is within the range of self-poweredpositions 76 (i.e., not in the charging position), the charging system70 inhibits the charging power 72 from reaching the power storage unit48. In such examples, the stored charge in the power storage unit 48 iswhat powers the light(s) 46 as the door opens and closes.

The charging system 70 is schematically illustrated to represent anyseparable electrical coupling between the power storage unit 48 and theexternal power source 74. Examples of the charging system 70 include aninductive coupling, a mating electrical plug and receptacle, and anelectrically conductive brush with an associated electrical contactsurface.

In some examples, the charging system 70 is an inductive coupling that,when the door system 45 is closed, recharges a super-capacitor form ofthe power storage unit 48. Super-capacitors charge relatively quickly,which is an important feature with doors that are operated frequently.Some batteries take longer to charge but can store more energy, sorechargeable batteries can work well with doors that have extendedperiods of use and extended periods of non-use. For instance, a batteryform of power storage unit 48 might be useful for doors that areextremely busy during the day but are left closed for most of the night,whereby the battery can be recharged with enough power during the nightto meet all of the power needs for the next day.

Some examples of door system 45 include an ambient light sensor 55. Inresponse to input from the light sensor 55, the light activation circuit52 adjusts the power to the light(s) 46. To conserve power and prolongthe life of the power storage unit 48, the light activation circuit 52delivers less power to the light(s) 46 during low ambient lightconditions and delivers more power during high ambient light conditions.

FIGS. 11-16 show an example door system 78 for separating a personnelarea 80 from a work area 82. In the illustrated example, a machine tool84 is shown performing a work-in-process in the work area 82 such asmachining a part 86 or performing some other process (e.g., assembling,mixing, painting, heating, forming, cleaning, welding, sorting, etc.). Amachine tool operator 88 is shown in the personnel area 80, and a closeddoor panel 14 shields the operator 88 from the work as it is beingperformed between a start time and a completion time of thework-in-process. Upon completion of the work, a controller 90 commandsthe drive unit 20 to move a leading edge 24 of the door panel 14 from aclosed position 92 to an open position 94 to unblock a passageway 96(FIG. 16) between the work area 82 and the personnel area 80.

In some examples, the controller 90 is a door controller 98 for the doorpanel 14 of the door system 78 and is separate from a machine controller102 of the machine tool 84. The term, “door controller” refers to adevice dedicated to the operation of a door and not to any machine beingshielded by the door. The term, “machine controller” refers to a deviceprimarily meant for commanding the operation of a process other thanjust opening or closing a door. In some examples, the controller 90 is acombination of both the door controller 98 and the machine controller102.

In some examples, the controller 90 commands the door system 78 to emita first signal 100 from one or more signal generators (e.g., an audiospeaker, a light source, etc.) that notifies the operator 88 when thedoor system 78 will be opening soon due to the work-in-process nearingcompletion or the work-in-process being within a predetermined periodprior to completion. This provides the operator 88 with some time toprepare for the next job or least prepare for attending to the currentone prior to the door system 78 opening. In some examples, when thework-in-process is completed, the controller 90 commands the door system78 to open automatically in response to a job-complete feedback 104 fromthe machine controller 102 to the door controller 98.

In some examples, the first signal 100 occurs closer to the process'scompletion time than to its start time. Examples of the first signal 100include an audible signal and/or a visual signal. Referring to FIG. 14,more specific examples of the first signal 100 include one or morelights (similar to the lights 12 of FIG. 1) distributed along thedoorframe 16 of the door system 78, the controller 90 emitting a light(first signal 100 a), a leading edge 24 of the door panel 14 emitting alight (first signal 100 b), the controller 90 projecting (e.g., via alight projector or other light source) onto the door panel 14 a light orimage (first signal 100 c), and the controller 90 emitting (e.g., via aspeaker) a sound (first signal 100 d). In some examples, the firstsignal 100 c is a projected image of a clock or countdown timer thatindicates the amount of time before the door system 78 will beginopening and/or the amount of time before the work-in-process will becompleted. Additionally, or alternatively, in some examples, the firstsignals 100 a, 100 b may be adapted to indicate the time associated withsuch a clock or countdown timer.

In addition or alternatively, in some examples, the door system 78 emitsa second signal 105 that indicates the door panel 14 is actually moving,as shown in FIG. 16. Examples of the second signal 105 include anaudible signal and/or a visual signal. An audible version of the secondsignal 105 can be at any convenient location. Example locations ofvisual versions of the second signal 105 include on the controller 90,on the door panel 14, on the doorframe 16, etc. Referring to FIG. 16,specific examples of the second signal 105 include one or more lights(similar to the lights 12 of FIG. 1) distributed along the doorframe 16,the controller 90 emitting a light (second signal 105 a), the leadingedge 24 emitting a light (second signal 105 b), and the controller 90emitting a sound (second signal 105 c). In some examples, the firstsignal 100 and the second signal 105 are distinguishable from each otherby virtue of some characteristic such as different colors, flashing vs.continuous, audible vs. visual, different flashing frequencies,different flashing patterns, different locations (e.g., on doorframe 16and on leading edge 24), and different levels of brightness.

One example operation of the door system 78 is as shown in FIGS. 11-16sequentially. FIG. 11 shows the door system 78 closed with thework-in-process about to begin. FIG. 12 shows the work-in-process havingalready started. FIG. 13 shows further progress of the work-in-process.FIG. 14 shows the emitting of the first signal 100 (e.g., at least oneof the first signals 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d) as an indication thatthe work-in-process is nearly complete. FIG. 15 shows thework-in-process at completion. FIG. 16 shows the emitting of the secondsignal 105 (e.g., at least one of the second signals 105 a, 105 b, 105c) as an indication that the door system 78 is opening at the end of thework-in-process cycle.

FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 show an example door system 106, wherein at least aportion 108 of the door panel 14 and/or at least a portion 109 of thedoorframe 16 changes color in response to a change in a thermodynamiccondition existing proximate the door system 106. Examples of suchthermodynamic conditions include a temperature of a first area 110adjacent a first side of the door panel 14, a temperature of a secondarea 112 adjacent a second side of the door panel 14, a temperature ofthe doorframe 16, a temperature of the door panel 14, a humidity of thefirst area 110, and a humidity of the second area 112. In some examples,the first area 110 is a refrigerated room for storing perishable goods114, and the door panel 14 is thermally insulated.

In some examples, the portion 108 and/or the portion 109 isthermochromic and thereby changes color in response to its temperature.In other examples, the controller 28 receives a feedback signal 116 froma thermodynamic sensor 118 (e.g., temperature sensor, humidity sensor,barometric pressure sensor, etc.). Based on the feedback signal 116, thecontroller 28 projects light 120 of different colors to represent thechanging thermodynamic conditions measured by the sensor 118. In someexamples, the light 120 is projected onto the portion 108 and/or theportion 109 to change their color without the portions 108, 109 havingto be of a thermochromic material.

FIG. 20 shows an example door system 122 having a matrix display 124having a two-dimensional array of lights 126 that is communicativelycoupled to the controller 44. In some examples, the lights 126 aredifferent colors to render icons, symbols, and/or animations on thematrix display 124 having one or more colors based on input from thecontroller 44. In some examples, the shapes of the icons and/or symbolsare such that a brief glance at the matrix display 124 quickly indicatesto an observer the operational status of the door system 122. Forexample, a down arrow (as shown) may indicate the door panel 14 isclosing (or about to close) whereas an up arrow may indicate the doorpanel 14 is opening (or about to open). Further, in some examples,different colors of the icons and/or symbols, the use of flashing and/oranimation indicates the importance of the icon and/or symbol. Forexample, a yellow down arrow may signify the door panel 14 is about toclose (e.g., preannounces the closing) while a red down arrow maysignify the door panel 14 is actually closing. A green square mayindicate the door panel 14 is opening and waiting for further inputwhile a green timer (e.g., a clock or an hourglass icon) may indicatethe door is open but on a timer. In some such examples, the clock orhourglass is animated to indicate how much time remains before the dooris to close. In some examples, a red octagon may indicate the door panel14 is closed but is about to open (e.g., preannounces the opening). Insome examples, a prohibition symbol (e.g., a circle with a slash throughit) may indicate the interlock is disabled while an inverted trianglemay serve as a warning of cross traffic. In some examples, the matrixdisplay 124 may render an exclamation point to indicate a maintenancealert. In some examples, a large X on the matrix display 124 mayindicate the door system 122 has faulted. Other icons and/or symbols mayalternatively be used to represent other operational states and/or anyof the operational states mentioned above. Further, any of the iconsand/or symbols described above may be in any color capable to berendered by the matrix display 124. In some examples, if the matrixdisplay 124 loses communication with the controller 44, the matrixdisplay 124 will generate a fault icon.

In some examples, the matrix display 124 is used in conjunction with thelights 12 on the doorframe 16, the lights 40 on the enclosure 42 of thecontroller 44, and/or any of the other example door systems describedherein. In other examples, the matrix display 124 is used instead of theother example door systems described herein. In some examples, thematrix display 124 is positioned above the passageway 18 of the door.Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the matrix display 124is positioned to the side of the passageway 18. In some examples, thematrix display 124 is incorporated into the enclosure of the controller44. The matrix display 124 may be of any suitable size to enable anobserver to easily identify the icons or symbols rendered thereon aftera brief glance. In some examples, the matrix display 124 isapproximately 8×8 inches with 32×32 lights 126.

Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacturehave been described herein, the scope of the coverage of this patent isnot limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods,apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope ofthe appended claims either literally or under the doctrine ofequivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A door system for a passageway, the doorsystem comprising: a door panel movable between an open position and aclosed position, the door panel including a sheet extending continuouslyacross a full height of the passageway when in the closed position; adisplay positionable adjacent the passageway to provide selectivelydifferent icons immediately identifiable by a person, a size of at leastone of the different icons substantially filling the display, thedifferent icons indicative of different operational states of the doorsystem or an impending change in a corresponding operational state ofthe door system, a first icon to indicate a first impending changecorresponding to movement of the door panel after a time period, thefirst icon corresponding to a timer indicating a countdown associatedwith the time period; and a controller to control operation of the doorpanel and the display.
 2. The door system of claim 1, wherein at leastone of the different icons is animated.
 3. The door system of claim 1,wherein a second icon includes an arrow to indicate the door panel is atleast one of closing, about to close, opening, or about to open.
 4. Thedoor system of claim 1, wherein a first one of the different operationalstates corresponds to when the door panel is opening and the door systemis waiting for further input.
 5. The door system of claim 1, wherein asecond icon is to preannounce an opening of the door panel and a thirdicon is to preannounce a closing of the door panel, the third icondifferent than the second icon.
 6. The door system of claim 1, wherein afirst one of the different operational states corresponds to when aninterlock is disabled.
 7. The door system of claim 1, wherein a secondicon serves as a warning of cross traffic.
 8. The door system of claim1, wherein a second icon indicates when the door system has faulted. 9.The door system of claim 1, wherein a second icon indicates amaintenance alert.
 10. A door system comprising: a door panel movablebetween a closed position and an open position to respectively block andunblock a passageway, the door panel including a sheet extendingcontinuously across a full height of the passageway when in the closedposition; a controller to control operation of the door panel; and amatrix display positionable adjacent the passageway in communicationwith the controller, the display to provide a symbol viewable by aperson facing the display, the symbol indicative of an operational stateof the door system, the controller to cause the display to change thesymbol based on at least one of a change in the operational state of thedoor system or an impending change in the operational state of the doorsystem, the impending change in the operational state corresponding tomovement of the door panel after a time period, the symbol correspondingto a timer indicating a countdown associated with the time period. 11.The door system of claim 10, wherein the display is to provide a faulticon when communication with the controller is lost.
 12. The door systemof claim 10, wherein the symbol has a common shape both when the doorsystem is in a first operational state and when the first operationalstate is impending, the symbol provided via at least one of differentcolors or flashing to distinguish when the door system is in the firstoperational state from when the first operational state is impending.13. The door system of claim 12, wherein the first state corresponds toone of the door panel moving to the closed position or the door panelmoving to the open position.
 14. The door system of claim 10, whereinthe display corresponds to a two-dimensional array of lights.
 15. A doorsystem comprising: a door panel movable between a closed position and anopen position to respectively block and unblock a passageway, the doorpanel including a sheet extending continuously across a full height ofthe passageway when in the closed position; a graphical displaypositionable adjacent the passageway; and a controller within anenclosure, the controller to control operation of the door panel, thecontroller to be in communication with the display to cause the displayto provide an icon representative of at least one of a currentoperational state of the door system or an impending change in thecurrent operational state of the door system, the impending change inthe current operational state corresponding to movement of the doorpanel after a time period, the icon corresponding toe a timer indicatinga countdown associated with the time period, the display being largerthan the enclosure.
 16. The door system of claim 1, further including aseries of lights to be distributed adjacent the passageway along atravel direction of the door panel, the series of lights to provide avisual indication of a status of the door system separate from thedisplay.
 17. The door system of claim 1, wherein the controller includesa user interface separate from the display, the user interface toprovide at least one of a visual indication of a status of the doorsystem or an actuator to enable operation of the door system, thedisplay to be spaced apart from an enclosure of the controller.